National Preparedness Month: LIMA-TANGO Has Your Solution
Key Takeaways
- While September is emergency preparedness month, it’s important to be vigilant all year.
- FEMA National Preparedness Month was established in 2004 through its Ready campaign. The goal is to encourage Americans to be prepared for emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and other crisis scenarios.
- The theme in 2025 was “Preparedness Starts at Home,” promoting the idea that being prepared begins in our own households.
- This year’s theme in 2026 is “Americans Stand Ready,” encouraging citizens to be ready to uphold their patriotic duty to assist first responders, take steps to protect loved ones, and work alongside neighbors to build strong communities.
September is more than just the transition from summer to fall. It has become known as the year’s primary emergency preparedness month, a time dedicated to building resilience against emergencies.
Officially called National Preparedness Month (NPM), this annual observance encourages individuals, families, and communities to take proactive steps in preparing for disasters, whether natural or man-made.
As we mark this month in 2026, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on our readiness and make meaningful changes.
A Brief History of FEMA National Preparedness Month
The roots of National Preparedness Month trace back to the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which highlighted the need for widespread emergency preparedness across the United States.
Launched in 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Ready campaign, the emergency preparedness month has since become a cornerstone of national efforts to promote disaster readiness.
Each year, it culminates on September 30 with National Preparedness Day, a call to action for everyone to review and update their plans. Over the past two decades, the initiative has evolved to address a broad range of threats, from hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and wildfires to pandemics, terrorist attacks, and cyberattacks, adapting to the changing landscape of risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the core steps to emergency preparedness?
The core steps to emergency preparedness are: owning an emergency kit, having and practicing a plan for evacuation and communication, staying informed and signing up for public safety alerts, and developing your survival skills and knowledge.
What items should I have in my emergency kit?
This emergency preparedness month, we recommend putting together or replenishing a bug out bag (BOB), which is a portable kit that contains essential items, such as the following:
- Water and Hydration
- Food and Nutrition
- Shelter and Protection From the Elements
- Clothing
- Personal Protection
- Navigation and Communication Tools
- First Aid and Hygiene Supplies
- Various Tools
- Important Documents
LIMA-TANGO Survival is your source for bespoke survival kits and top-quality survival gear.
Learn more here: The Ultimate Bug Out Bag Checklist: What You Should Have in Your BOB.
How often should I review and update my emergency supplies?
While FEMA National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to review and update your emergency supplies, you should be vigilant all year, not only during the official emergency preparedness month. We recommend reviewing and updating your supplies at least every six months.
What are the themes for National Preparedness Month?
Every year, FEMA has an overarching tagline that focuses on key elements of emergency preparedness. Read on to learn about last year’s and this year’s themes.
The 2025 Theme: Preparedness Starts at Home
Last year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” emphasizes that effective emergency planning begins in our own households. FEMA and organizations like the American Red Cross are urging Americans to focus on four key actions to build a solid foundation for safety, during emergency preparedness month and beyond:
- Know the Risks and Responses: Understand the types of emergencies that could affect your area—such as floods, earthquakes, or severe weather—and learn the appropriate ways to respond.
- Make a Family Emergency Plan: Create a detailed plan that includes evacuation routes, meeting points, assigned responsibilities, and communication strategies for staying in touch if separated.
- Build an Emergency Supply Kit: Assemble a kit with essentials like non-perishable food, water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and portable chargers. Check https://www.ready.gov/kit for more information about building a kit for emergency preparedness month.
- Get Involved in Your Community: Participate in local preparedness activities, volunteer with organizations like the Red Cross, or join community emergency response teams to strengthen collective resilience.
These actions are designed to be simple yet impactful, ensuring that preparedness is accessible to everyone, regardless of location or resources.
The 2026 Theme: Americans Stand Ready
This year, the theme for FEMA National Preparedness Month is “Americans Stand ready. The theme focuses on the resilience, unity, and resourcefulness that strengthen our country and its communities. The core pillars of the theme are:
- Be Ready to Do Your Patriotic Duty: This emergency preparedness month, reflect on all of our collective patriotic duty to assist first responders when we can. Being able to lend a hand requires being prepared and self-reliant.
- Be Prepared to Protect Loved Ones: When a crisis occurs, it’s important to know how to take care of family, and friends.
- Support Your Community: Proactively helping your neighbors to be prepared strengthens your community and the nation as a whole.
Practical Tips for Getting Prepared
Beyond the basics, here are some actionable tips to integrate preparedness into your daily life:
- Tailor to Your Needs: Consider the unique requirements of your household, including people with disabilities or pets. For instance, ensure pets have their own kit with a week’s supply of food, water, medications, and identification.
- Test Your Plans: This emergency preparedness month, conduct family drills to practice your emergency plan, and check smoke detectors, flashlights, and other equipment regularly.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for alerts from your local National Weather Service office and use apps from reliable sources for real-time updates on threats like wildfires or hurricanes.
- Leverage Free Resources: Government organizations, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, provide data and tools on disaster risks, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers guidance on environmental emergencies.
Remember: Small steps today can prevent big problems tomorrow. For example, during power outages, having non-perishable foods and emergency contact cards on hand can make all the difference.
Resources to Help You Start
To dive deeper into this year’s emergency preparedness month, check out these trusted sources:
- FEMA’s Ready.gov for customizable toolkits and plans.
- The American Red Cross for 30-day preparedness challenges and training courses.
- Local government sites, like ReadyDC, for region-specific advice.
Conclusion: Take Action Today
FEMA National Preparedness Month isn’t just about awareness; it’s about action. In a world where disasters can strike without warning, being prepared at home sets the stage for safer communities.
As we continue through the year, challenge yourself and your loved ones to adopt these habits. Share your progress on social media with #AmericansStandReady and #NPM2026, and inspire others to join the movement. After all, preparedness isn’t a one-time event; it’s a lifelong commitment to safety and security.
Get Prepared
This emergency preparedness month, make sure you and your loved ones are ready to handle any crisis that could come our way. We stock a wide variety of high-quality emergency supplies that you can depend on when times get tough.
Stay ready, stay safe! LIMA-TANGO Survival has your solution to get you prepared for whatever comes your way. Place your order today.
